Richmond, VA

Department of Social Services

Refugee Assistance

Last Updated: 2015-01-27

Refugees are individuals who are unable to return to their country of origin because of persecution
or a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular
social group, or political opinion.

Available Assistance

Refugees are eligible to apply for the same assistance programs as United States citizens,
including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.

Single refugee adults or couples who are not eligible for TANF or Medicaid may be eligible to receive
Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medicaid for their first eight (8) months in the United States so
that they can become self-sufficient.

For more information:

Call 3-1-1 for information on the application process or to speak with a customer service
representative.